Your guide to green parenting, eco baby & green kids

‘Heart for Haiti’ Limited Edition Tees for Valentine’s Day

The folks at Positively Organic are positively impressive when it comes to combining super cute baby onesies and tees for tots with a socially-responsible business practice. Their 100% organic cotton and sweatshop free designs are great mix-and-match attire for little ones on the move. If you are looking for an eco-friendly way to share in environment and social outreach this Valentine’s Day, look no further than Positively Organic’s ‘Heart for Haiti’ limited-edition baby bodysuits and varsity tees. 50% of all sale proceeds will go to CARE’s Haiti Relief Efforts. Not only is this a great way to contribute to Haiti’s rebuilding efforts, but it is also a unique opportunity to spread the message of doing good for one of the year’s most touching occasions.

+ Heart for Haiti infant onesie retails for $22 (2 for $40)

+ Heart for Haiti varsity tee retails for $22 (2 for $40) available in four colors

+ Positively Organic

A Flatpak DIY Treehouse Anyone Can Build

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 02/08/10

Building a treehouse for the kiddos doesn’t seem so daunting when only six steps are involved. In fact, this flatpak version by Rogier Martens and Sam van Veluw of Aandeboom is practically plug and play: The Zelfbouwboomhut (Build-It-Yourself Treehouse) uses a slot-and-tab system in lieu of nails or glue and is strapped to the tree rather than hammered into it. The water-resistant wood panels can even be customized with a slap or two of paint or left bare for a clean, modernist facade.

+ Aandeboom

[Via Designboom]

Stainless Steel Feeding Gear for Green Kids from Life Without Plastic

by Julie Knapp, 02/07/10

Stainless steel has been proven to be one of the safest materials for containing food and drink. These non-toxic kid’s dishes with stainless steel interiors from Life Without Plastic make mealtime both fun and chemical free. Choose from 3-piece sets, colorful cereal bowls and double-walled mugs — everything in the collection is BPA-free and lined with food grade 304 stainless steel. Kids will love the cute animal graphics including frogs, zebras, tigers, bunnies and dolphins.

+ Stainless Steel Kid’s Dishes $6.95 – $28.95

+ Life Without Plastic

Forest of Woods from Pen Pencil Stencil

by Beth Shea, 02/07/10

In addition to his vibrant Kokeshi Dolls, artist Mark Giglio of Pen Pencil Stencil creates gorgeous wooden masterpieces in his Forest of Woods collection. Crafted from different types of scrap wood expertly transformed into a miniature forest, these trees are enchanting in their simplicity and inspiring in their sustainable design. We can see them taking root on a child’s windowsill during playtime, or displayed on an adult’s desk as thoughtful decor. To learn when these limited edition Forest of Woods sets are available for purchase, follow Giglio on Twitter, where he posts his latest news and store updates.

+ Pen Pencil Stencil

via Babyology

Inhabitots Link Roundup of the Week: Green Valentine Crafts!

by Beth Shea, 02/06/10

Lavender and Limes shows us how to make these felt conversation hearts to send sweet love messages without the sugar!

The Long Thread makes chic Valentine cards out of recycled materials.

Oh So Crafty lives up to her blog’s name by creating a festive and rosy Valentine garland from old magazines!

Fun in the Making turns old Rummikub game pieces into love magnets.

Cool Mom Picks announces the winners of their Color Your Own Valentine’s Card contest. Cards are for sale and downloadable here, and all proceeds benefit the Children’s Heart Foundation.

Ohdeedoh shows us how to sew a lovely fabric envelope and card — a keepsake Valentine that is sure to be cherished for years to come.

‘Valentine the Owl’ Reusable Totes for Green Kids

by Jennifer Chait, 02/06/10

Green kids can show their love for the earth this Valentine’s Day and beyond with these adorable, reusable owl totes! We all know that reusable bags are the perfect alternative to plastic bags, but few are as sweet as this Valentine the Owl Tote Bag. On Valentine’s Day you can fill this cute tote with special goodies — and then your little one may continue to use this handy bag to carry her books, arts and crafts, and more throughout the year. This original, handmade tote features a corduroy face and a Valentine print on the tummy. Two tiny wings are made from chocolate polka dot fabric with zigzag decorative stitching. The bag, including handles, are lined with interfacing for durability. Other smashing Valentine’s Day owl totes include Polka Dot the Owl and Bloom the Owl.

+ Valentine’s Day Owl Totes $18.50

+ Everyday Celebrations

ROCCO: A Rocking Horse That Harvests Kinetic Energy

by Yuka Yoneda, 02/05/10

Children seem to be filled with boundless amounts of energy (which can sometimes be a little tiring for us adults who have to look after them). Wouldn’t it be great if you could turn that natural effervescence into power for your home? That’s exactly what Rocco, one of our favorite entries into this year’s Greener Gadgets design competition, does. It’s a rocking horse that transforms the kinetic energy from your child’s play into electricity that lights up its ears. Then the ears can be removed to light up any room in your house!

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SWIRL: Washing Machine, Water Barrel & Toy, in One Big Ball of Fun!

by Bridgette Meinhold, 02/05/10

In many developing countries, water sources are located far away from homes, making washing clothes a hard and laborious activity — hauling the clothes, washing them at the water source and then lugging them back. ‘Swirl,‘ a new concept for a non-electric washing machine, designed by German-based designaffairs Studio for children and adults in developing nations, hopes to help alleviate some of the burden of clothes washing with this awesome idea for a combo washing machine, water barrel and toy all rolled into one. ‘Swirl‘ turns a burden of a chore into an entertaining activity — by playing and moving the ball around, clothes are easily transported, rotated, and cleaned inside the washing ball.

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Rosie Posie Baby Cloches by Giant Dwarf are Big on Style

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 02/04/10

Resembling cupcake fondant and spun sugar, these vintage-inspired baby cloches (that’s fancy-talk for “bell-shaped hats”) by Giant Dwarf are almost good enough to eat. We wouldn’t recommend it though, unless you’re keen on a mouthful of recycled cashmere. Topped with a felt scalloped flower, ruched leaves, and a hand-pressed button, each cap will help your bambino weather the last leg of winter in toothsome style — no cavities, we promise!

+ Rosie Posie Baby Cloche $30

+ Giant Dwarf

Feeding Baby Breast Milk via Exclusive Pumping, One Mom’s Personal Story

by Melissa Cotton Womack, 02/04/10

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you are probably well aware that breast milk is the best nourishment for a baby. We all know the advantages of breastfeeding: healthier babies, higher IQ, DHA, immunoglobulins, better attachment, saving money, easier on the environment — but what if breastfeeding just doesn’t work out for you? Despite growing support for breastfeeding and the best efforts of La Leche League, many women experience difficulties breastfeeding for a variety of reasons and often get discouraging messages and bad advice from hospitals, doctors, family and friends which can make breastfeeding almost impossible. And sometimes the parts just don’t fit right (short frenulum) or your baby just can never get a good latch (more common than you might think). There is a growing movement of moms who have turned to exclusive pumping as an alternative to nursing to get their babies the nourishment they need. Here is one mom’s personal story — from our friend Melissa Womack, mom to 10 month old Jude…

exclusive pumping, breastfeeding with a bottle, 24-7 pumping, breastpump, breast-pump, nursing difficulties

MELISSA’S STORY

Before my son Jude was born I had bought a single sided pump, but truthfully, I never expected to use it much. I was going to be a stay at home mom, so I thought I would have the opportunity to actually nurse him through all of his feedings. I had taken a breastfeeding class before he was born and had read most of the available literature on the topic. I, myself, was a champion breastfeeder as a baby/toddler and was not weaned until age 2 1/2. It had never really occurred to me beforehand that breastfeeding might prove to be a challenge. I felt prepared. But little did I know, I was about to embark upon one of the most challenging experiences of my life: exclusively pumping to feed my baby my breast milk via bottle.

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Belkiz Feedaway: A Portable Flatpak Cardboard High Chair

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 02/03/10

Your wee one’s high chair gets the flatpak treatment with the Belkiz Feedaway, a portable seating system that makes feeding time a cinch for space-starved families or babies on the move. Although it’s made from recycled cardboard, the Feedaway can bench-press more than 40 pounds of toddler. (A built-in three-point safety harness keeps your precious cargo secure.) The best part: You can fold it flat and tuck it away from view till the next time your tot gets a hankering for strained peas.

+ Feedaway

+ Belkiz

via Springwise

WIN IT WEDNESDAY! Win a Hessnatur Organic Clothing Starter Kit!

by Beth Shea, 02/03/10

Your eco baby can start life as a green fashion maven from the get-go with this beautiful collection of organic cotton clothing from Hessnatur! Filled with comfortable, versatile staple wardrobe pieces, perfect for layering and also adorable as separates, this exclusive Eco Baby Hessnatur Organic Clothing Starter Kit is valued at $125 and includes an Organic Cotton Starter Outfit (complete with a romper suit, jacket and cap), an Organic Cotton Wrap Bodysuit (long-sleeved, kimono style wrap available in an array of serene colors) and a 2-Pack of Organic Cotton Rompers (available in sweet light blue/green or orange/rose color combinations.) The lucky winner will get their choice of size and colors to perfectly fit their happy baby.

Made in Germany with eco-friendly production standards, Hessnatur clothing is crafted with 100% pure organic cotton by people whose human rights are respected. Started in 1976 by green pioneer Heinz Hess, a father determined to outfit his newborn son in organic clothing which he couldn’t find anywhere, Hessnatur was born of Hess’ desire to design pure clothing in harmony with nature. Hessnatur offers a wide collection of responsibly made clothing to outfit the entire family — and one lucky Inhabitots eco baby will be introduced to this gorgeous collection of Hessnatur’s quality green apparel in today’s giveaway!

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Turned Wood Works of Art: Kokeshi Dolls from Pen Pencil Stencil

by Beth Shea, 02/02/10

Artist Mark Giglio gives vibrant new life to scrap wood with these turned wood Kokeshi Dolls made in his Pen Pencil Stencil studio in Oakland, California. A delightful intersection between works of art and toys, Kokeshi Dolls would be right at home on the shelf or in the playroom of a green family who appreciates sustainable design. Kokeshi dolls are traditional dolls from northern Japan which have no arms or legs, and only a few simple lines to define their face. Giglio is currently crafting limited editions of his favorite Kokeshi Dolls from the set, turning the scrap wood until it is smooth and then painting it with bold bright colors in geometric patterns. To keep current with the availability of Giglio’s artwork, he suggests following him on Twitter, where he posts his latest news and store updates.

+ Pen Pencil Stencil

via Babyology

“Letterbox” Typography Blocks Teach Kids to Become Font Designers

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 02/02/10

Tired of old-school building blocks? This toy prototype helps hipster tots learn not only their ABCs but also the basics of font design. (Here’s hoping future generations will never know the horror of Comic Sans.) Instead of 26 distinct letters, the oversize, 4-inch recycled-cardboard cubes (known as “Letterboxes”) divvy up the alphabet into combining geometric parts, not unlike a tangram puzzle. The cubes can be stacked in myriad combinations to produce a variety of shapes and letterforms. Before you know it, your little tyke will be able to pinpoint the nuances between Arial and Helvetica. Grownups can even play around with the companion typeface, available as a free download.

+ Letterboxes

+ The Design Office

via World Famous Design Junkies

Cubebots: Eco-Friendly Wooden Robots by David Weeks

by Jennifer Chait, 02/01/10

Robot toys are typically made of plastic and require batteries — but with designer David Weeks’ latest toy, Cubebots, you can indulge your child with a robot pal while maintaining your green sensibility. Cubebots are an Areaware original debuting for the new season at the New York International Gift Fair. David Weeks creates his lovable and pliable Cubebots with sustainably harvested cherry wood in two sizes — medium and small. The robot’s sturdy hardwood frame can hold many poses, and his elastic-band muscles and durable wood limbs allow his body to stand up to rambunctious play. When playtime is over, Cubebots neatly fold up into an unassuming perfect cube. Impressed with David Weeks’ craftsmanship? Be sure to check out our previous features on his Ursa the Bear and Hanno the Gorilla designs.

Cubebots are currently available for pre-order for $35 — but there is no shipping date available at this time.

+ Cubebots $35.00

+ Areaware

Become Smitten’s Endangered Animals Are Lovable Green Valentines

Who would have thought a Water Buffalo could be such a cute and lovable Valentine gift? Become Smitten thinks the water buffalo is worthy of some cuddling, along with a range of other endangered animals in plush form including frogs, owls, wolves, rhinos, marmots, bunnies, and more. Each unique stuffie is individually handmade with organic or recycled fabrics exclusively — and each boasts his own sweet personality!